Are you being deceived?

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Deception.

What are we being deceived about? Current events? Politics? Business ventures? Relationships with loved ones or coworkers? Friends? Ourselves?

In this world, there is plenty to be deceived about. We are not all forthcoming about our own agendas, and we are all struggling to survive from day to day.

We can become deceitful with others when we pit our own needs up against the needs of others. We plan, strategize and maybe even connive others to get our needs met.

Worse, we can deceive ourselves into thinking that our plans are good, our motives are pure, and we are on a trajectory to improve our lot in life.

Our way is to take control, wrest whatever we can get to feel secure and have a nest egg set aside so that we can support ourselves and our families in the future.

In so doing, we may miss all that God has planned for us. Instead of wrangling and maneuvering to get ahead, we need to take a step back and see what God wants from us.

"Seek?the?Lord?while he may be found; call?on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake?their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.

Let them turn?to the?Lord, and he will have mercy?on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts?are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the?Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,?so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:6-9

Don't ever lose sight of the fact that God is with us, 24/7. Every minute, He wants to show us His love and His ways.

When you get frustrated that things aren't going your way, and you're not seeing the progress you want to see, turn to Him and thank Him for that. He is working out His will in your life.

He is teaching you something in those moments. Trust Him to show you what you need to learn. He has the future, not us. Put all the striving and worry aside and know that He is faithful, and He won't let us down, even in the midst of our own deception.

As we get closer to Him, He will open our eyes and draw us closer and closer to Him, until we see Him clearly. Then, our desires shift from getting all we can to giving all we can.

I can imagine a world where nobody is in need, because all the blessings that God has given to us are shared freely with each other, without regard for personal wealth or gain.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you,?casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

Are you open to asking God where you've been deceived? I'm going to do that along with you. I know it will be a journey well worth taking.

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Today's flower is a Siam tulip from my yard.

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